Unless you have a unique name, the chances are that even if you have a best seller flying off the shelves in your local bookshop, people won't connect it to you unless you tell them.

My mom, aunt, and other members of my family and friends would read anything that had my name on it, no matter what the topic.

I use my real name, but it does mean I have to be careful as I do have a job that could be put at risk. If I wrote "kinky" books, I could easily be fired, because of where I work. So I could see the advantages of hiding behind a pseudonym.

I do not read nor write in that genre so it is not an issue, but I could see how it could before you and others. Something to think about at least.

My mom, aunt, and other members of my family and friends would read anything that had my name on it, no matter what the topic.

I use my real name, but it does mean I have to be careful as I do have a job that could be put at risk. If I wrote "kinky" books, I could easily be fired, because of where I work. So I could see the advantages of hiding behind a pseudonym.

I do not read nor write in that genre so it is not an issue, but I could see how it could before you and others. Something to think about at least.

This, in a nutshell. (Though I can't get most of my family or friends to read my stuff!)

In my case the use of a psuedonym is a no-brainer. I have a full time job, working from home a lot, and when I do finally publish, I don't want to do so under my real name for fear of raising questions in the minds of those I work for (even though they do get their fair pound of flesh out of me).

I know the feeling. I work like a dog, and get the job done. I even have a piece of the company. Still there is an attitude about "your real job" and your company focus versus some "selfish sideline." Never you mind about the time others spend drinking, golfing, hunting, fishing, on game weekends, etc. Also I must confess I try to come across as a good example.

It is easier to keep that "selfish sideline" low key and below the horizon so I use a pseudonym. My wife is an editor and a serious writer and so it is easy to set things up. As for a cover, since I work with sharp people, and they will sometimes notice I am doing something a little different (NOT in the office), I publish an occasional article in some technical magazines and if it appears that someone is too curious, or might have seen something say in a motel room at a job site or somewhere else, I always have 1 or 2 partially completed articles ready to show and bore the person with. If as has happened they express an interest in perhaps collaborating, I take the subject down some oddball path, and they then seem to steer clear and not ask so many questions, because they are "busy."

If as has happened they express an interest in perhaps collaborating, I take the subject down some oddball path, and they then seem to steer clear and not ask so many questions, because they are "busy."

Acting a little unhinged to distance your colleagues is a dangerous path to tread, but it made me smile all the same .

Acting a little unhinged to distance your colleagues is a dangerous path to tread, but it made me smile all the same .

Quote:

Originally Posted by ApK

But if done correcly, the results can be spectacular.
You can create a personal force-field, protecting you from all manner of corporate nonsense.

Quote:

Originally Posted by orlok

Truth is, I do it myself. I get on well at work, but no-one asks me home for dinner....

First you have to hold up your end at work. Second, you shouldn't be obviously spending a lot of time or making a lot of money at your "side line" or then it is considered competitive with your job, and also leads both to curiosity and jealousy, Third you should, whether you consider it "acting unhinged' or a "personal force-field" or just diversionary tactics, do it with a flourish or what I would call "hiding in plain sight." "Sleight of hand."

The wife provides a nice cover and explanation for many things. Besides, she is quite charming and that is a very good diversion in itself. ((She is always a good excuse, readily accepted.))

First you have to hold up your end at work. Second, you shouldn't be obviously spending a lot of time or making a lot of money at your "side line" or then it is considered competitive with your job, and also leads both to curiosity and jealousy, Third you should, whether you consider it "acting unhinged' or a "personal force-field" or just diversionary tactics, do it with a flourish or what I would call "hiding in plain sight." "Sleight of hand."

Many employment contracts (in the UK, at least - don't know if it's the same elsewhere) specifically prohibit you from having any other form of paid employment. If that's the case, it's always best to be open about it and tell your employers that you are writing (or whatever else it is you're doing).

Many employment contracts (in the UK, at least - don't know if it's the same elsewhere) specifically prohibit you from having any other form of paid employment. If that's the case, it's always best to be open about it and tell your employers that you are writing (or whatever else it is you're doing).

I have never seen a contract like that here in America. We have non-compete contracts, but that is more specific then what you seem to be talking about.

I have never seen a contract like that here in America. We have non-compete contracts, but that is more specific then what you seem to be talking about.

In the UK it applies primarily to people in professional occupations. The idea is that you should be devoting your time exclusively to your employer's interests, not spending your time making money elsewhere.

In the UK it applies primarily to people in professional occupations. The idea is that you should be devoting your time exclusively to your employer's interests, not spending your time making money elsewhere.

Doubt that would fly here very well. Non-competes get fought over heavily, and they are far less intrusive then that.

I think the type of no work elsewhere contracts we get here in Canada, even for professionals, refer only to work in the same industry. For instance, if I want to tutor any students from my school, I have to either go through the school's own tutoring program (and make less money per hour since they take a cut) or get special permission. I even remember getting babysitting work from one of the families during the summer when school wasn't in session and having to clear it with the principal first!

With that said, I don't think the principal of my school would care if I spent the weekend writing romance novels or something, unless I was doing work for it during school time or on school machines. I mean, we even have politicians here who work in government but who own property or have family businesses from their prior career or something. Our mayor made much of his fortune on a family-owned furniture store. As long as he does not act in a way as mayor that gives his family business preferential treatment (there are rules for this and they are enforced by a watchdog) he can do what he wants.